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Black furniture, especially varieties with a high-gloss finish, tends to show fingerprints more readily than finishes such as plain white paint or a basic varnish. On some finishes such as black lacquer, fingerprints stand out so much you can practically see them from across the room. The key to wiping those fingerprints away is to use a soft cloth without any potentially abrasive cleaners. Like fingerprints, scratches also show up quite a bit more on some black furniture finishes than on similar furniture of lighter colors.

The Gentle Touch

Before tackling the fingerprints, dust the furniture gently with a feather duster, as this wipes away particles that may potentially scratch the finish if rubbed with a cloth. Wipe fingerprints away with a slightly damp, soft and lint-free cloth, and then blot the dampened areas immediately with a dry and soft cloth to avoid potential moisture damage. For a greasy fingerprint or one that otherwise does not disappear with a damp cloth alone, dab a small amount of oil soap onto the soft, damp cloth and gently wipe it over the fingerprint. Follow up with a damp cloth, and then blot the moisture away.

About the Author

Kathy Adams is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who traveled the world handling numerous duties for music artists. She writes travel and budgeting tips and destination guides for USA Today, Travelocity and ForRent, among others. She enjoys exploring foreign locales and hiking off the beaten path stateside, snapping pics of wildlife and nature instead of selfies.